Betts may play 2B in World Series
BOSTON — With a championship at stake, MVP favorite Mookie Betts is ready to do anything Manager Alex
Cora asks.
Even if that means dusting off his infielder’s mitt.
Cora said Saturday he may use the
Gold Glove Award-winning right fielder at second base during the World Series, a move that would make space for slugger J.D. Martinez when the series shifts to an NL park.
Martinez has two home runs and nine RBI as Boston’s designated hitter this postseason, and when Boston loses the DH for games either at Los Angeles or Milwaukee, Cora has to find space for him on the field. His best position is right field, but that’s also where Betts has played while winning two consecutive Gold Gloves.
So Betts may be moving to the dirt.
“A.C. has never steered us wrong,” he said. “Naturally, if he trusts me then I should believe in myself. That’s what it takes to win. I’ll do whatever.”
Boston was set to learn its World Series opponent Saturday night when the Dodgers and Brewers played Game 7 of the NL Championship Series, and that will influence how Cora stacks his lineup for Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary. Betts at second is a possibility, but not a certainty.
“I don’t know, man,” Cora said. “He already played second during the regular season. So, there’s always a chance, I guess.”
Betts was a second baseman throughout his minor league career and played 14 games there as a rookie in 2014, relieving an injured Dustin Pedroia. He also played second for six innings against the Yankees on Aug. 3 after Ian Kinsler was hurt.
He takes grounders before games during the regular season and was at the keystone for some work Saturday when Boston practiced at Fenway Park.
“He’ll take ground balls as always. That’s not gonna change,” Cora said. “But obviously we’ll see who we play and matchups.”
Chris Sale has resumed throwing and said he’s ready to pitch Game 1 of the World Series after missing an ALCS start and being hospitalized with an illness. Sale threw a bullpen session Saturday and said he will go through his normal routine before taking the mound at Fenway Park for Tuesday’s opener.
First, though, the ace lefthander had some fun with reporters when asked about the ailment, saying it was caused by irritation from a belly-button ring. Although Sale remained deadpan during the comment, he has not been observed with a pierced navel.
Sale was initially slated to pitch Game 5 of the ALCS but was ruled out after the illness left him weak.
Sale called it a dream to get the ball for Game 1 of the World Series.
“We’re gonna grind like hell and give it everything we’ve got,” he said.